. . . Get In Line For Education

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The one good thing about a scholarship program for Florida's prison inmates is that it will expire after this year.

The $400,000 program is aimed at women and minorities who have taken courses while in prison and have good records. It would pay for tuition at community colleges.

But if prison inmates need scholarships to afford college, they should compete for that money along with everyone else.

The notion that any of the state's 64,000 inmates should receive special scholarships, to give them a second chance, just isn't fair to Florida residents who can't afford even a first chance at college.

The program, which slipped into the Florida Department of Corrections budget this year with no fanfare, has its supporters. Rep. Elvin Martinez, D-Tampa, says it's an either-or proposition: Either give people a crack at a free college education or guarantee that they'll go back to crime.

That's an affront to citizens struggling to get by without breaking the law.

Money is tight for people who want an education. State financial aid has remained about the same during the past two years - about $94 million - even though tuition has increased.

State-prison inmates should get into line.

That doesn't mean that the state should abandon efforts to help people break away from a life of crime. It is in society's best interest to do so.

During their time served, for example, prisoners should have access to classes that effectively teach them the skills they will need to get a job.

Given that half of all violent crimes are drug-related, it also makes sense for the state to spend money on drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Putting aside a special fund to give prisoners a free college education, however, insults every taxpaying citizen who follows the rules.